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Molly
Poecilia sphenops
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Poeciliidae
📍 Central America & Mexico
Mollies are versatile livebearers available in many colour forms including black, dalmatian, and balloon. They are adaptable to a wide range of conditions including brackish water. Females give birth to live young and breed prolifically in captivity.
Care Guide
Diet
Mollies are omnivores and should be fed a varied diet of high-quality flake food, spirulina-based pellets, and regular supplements of blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach. Offer frozen or live brine shrimp 2-3 times weekly as protein. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Mollies are peaceful, active swimmers that spend most of their time in mid-water zones grazing and exploring. Males may display territorial or harassing behavior toward females, particularly during breeding season, so maintain a 2:1 or 3:1 female-to-male ratio. They are social fish and do best in groups of at least 3, preferring the company of their own kind.
Breeding
Mollies breed prolifically in captivity with minimal intervention—females are livebearers that produce 20-100 fry every 4-6 weeks once mature. Breeding occurs readily in established tanks with adequate food and stable conditions; separate pregnant females into a breeding box or heavily planted area to protect fry from predation. Fry are relatively hardy and will eat crushed flakes and micro foods immediately.
Tank Mates
Nearly identical water requirements and peaceful temperament; both are livebearers with similar care needs
Compatible water parameters and peaceful nature; both thrive in community settings
Peaceful schooling fish; prefers slightly cooler temps but adapts well to molly tanks
Peaceful algae eater that shares same water parameters; helps maintain tank cleanliness
Peaceful and compatible with warm water; may occasionally chase fry but generally safe with adults
Common Diseases
Fin Rot
Frayed, discolored, or deteriorating fins; lethargy and loss of appetite
Improve water quality with frequent partial changes, maintain temperature at 26-28°C, and treat with aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or antibacterial medication if severe
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, scratching against objects, rapid breathing
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, and treat with ich medication or aquarium salt for 7-10 days
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, clamped fins, lethargy, rapid gill movement
Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28°C, reduce lighting, and treat with copper-based medication or salt bath; isolate affected fish if possible
Dropsy
Swollen belly, scales standing out like a pinecone, lethargy, loss of appetite
Isolate fish immediately, perform frequent water changes, maintain optimal water quality, and treat with antibacterial medication; prognosis is often poor
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Varieties
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – flake, spirulina, vegetables, brine shrimp
- lifespan
- 3–5 years
- max size
- 12 cm (4.7 in) females; 8 cm (3.2 in) males
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful; males may harass females
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0–8.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 10–25 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)